Programs: Guided Tours

Description:

Fermilab offers tours to people, ages 10 and older. Children between 10 and 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult. These restrictions are for safety reasons.

Public Tours: For individuals and small groups of fewer than 10, there are three options:
  • Ask-a-Scientist held at 1:00 pm on the first Sunday of the month. Fermilab offers a lecture followed by a behind-the-scenes tour. Ask scientists questions about Fermilab or about physics in general. Suggested audience: adults and students with a keen interest in science! The presentation and tone is set for high school seniors – college freshman. Students 10 to 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required.
  • Get to Know Fermilab held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Visitors meet in the Wilson Hall atrium for an introductory tour of the Lab and are welcome to enjoy lunch in the Wilson Hall Cafeteria.
  • Get to Know the Lederman Science Center held the first Saturday of the month from 10:00 am to noon. Families meet a docent at the Center for a guided tour of exhibits that explore Fermilab science from a kid's point of view.
Check the calendar of tours and special events for dates.

Private Tours:

For groups of 10 or more, tours are by appointment. Tours must be arranged at least two weeks in advance. A tour lasts about two hours and begins in Wilson Hall. Visitors view the Laboratory from the 15th floor windows and visit various displays located there. The tour moves to the Linear Accelerator building where visitors see the Cockcroft-Walton, the components in the linear accelerator gallery and the Main Control Room.

There is a docent for every 20 people with a charge of $50 per docent.

Tours for School Groups:

For high school students, ages 14 and older: The number of people in a group should be no less than 10 and no more than 100. One instructor or responsible adult must accompany every 20 high school students. Students meet with a physicist for a brief question and answer session. Some smaller groups may meet at the physicist’s workplace. Groups may arrange to eat lunch in the Fermilab cafeteria. There is no cost for student tours.

Middle school students can visit Fermilab as part of Beauty and Charm field trips. Teachers must attend a workshop first before scheduling a field trip.


Contact:
  • Private/School Tours: Maureen Hix, Education Office
    Fermilab, MS MS777, P.O. Box 500, Batavia, IL 60510-0500
    (630) 840-5588, mhix@fnal.gov
  • Ask-a-Scientist/Get-to-Know Tours: Lederman Science Center, Education Office
    Fermilab, P.O. Box 500, Batavia, IL 60510-0500
    (630) 840-8258, edreg@fnal.gov

Application Deadline: NA

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